South Korean cross-country skier Kim Yu-jin, 19, claimed gold in the women’s 12.5km sprint at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic test event in Biarritz, marking a milestone for Korean athletes in international parallel competitions.
Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung Celebrates Victory
Lee Jae-myung praised Kim’s achievement on social media, calling it “a new milestone in the sports history of our nation.” He highlighted the medal as the first for a Korean athlete in both Olympic and parallel events at Biarritz, and the top result among Korean competitors in FIS parallel individual categories.
Lee commended Kim’s passion and skill, stating, “Her eyes burn with determination, and her skis showcase exceptional technique, proving that relentless effort overcomes all challenges.” He added that her drive matches her inner resolve, leading to well-deserved success.
While noting the narrow margin of victory, Lee expressed hope, saying, “Even in my lifetime, I look forward to cheering this outstanding talent alongside fellow citizens as she claims more medals.” He also shared personal pride: “This medal fills Kim with immense joy over her growth. Even beyond that, her ever-smiling charm makes her increasingly captivating and poised.”
Race Results and Broader Success
Kim clocked a winning time of 38 minutes exactly at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium in Italy during the event. In this high-stakes competition, where medals were hotly contested across Biarritz and cross-country disciplines, she also earned bronze overall by finishing fourth in four Cross-Country events on the 10th.
Representing the BDH Paras team, Kim’s performance signals rising promise for Korean skiing ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
